Whilst political pundits struggle to fathom the implications of coalition and ‘new politics’, the signs are that Lib Dem voters are optimistic and that they are responding well to the new vision. It seems that when the new order combines with a strong local campaign and a candidate who offers the traditional Lib Dem promise of ‘service and action all year round’ success follows.
A series of elections over the last two weeks brought first an encouraging result in the extended Parliamentary election in Thirsk and Malton. This being a safe Tory seat with a notional majority of over 14,000 and Lib Dems in third, one might have thought that the Lib Dems would be squeezed by the Tories and hit by a Labour backlash. Despite voters suffering from election fatigue, our charismatic candidate, the memorably named Howard Keal, leapfrogged Labour into second place and managed a swing from the Tories to the Lib Dems. Howard’s profile as an active local councillor and his energetic campaign combined with the raised profile and influence of the party to deliver this boost.
At the same time a series of borough and town council results have shone through.
In Camden the party swept up all three seats against Labour in Haverstock ward, a gain of two seats. Lib Dems remarkably swept the board with 28 out of 28 seats on Kendal town council in Cumbria against all comers, seats were also gained in Ross on Wye, and Truro. This week has seen two excellent gains from Conservatives in South Oxfordshire and Newquay.
Small beer compared to the General Election, some might say – but combined with almost a million extra Lib Dem votes on May 6th, a clear indication that voters over a range of areas are backing the Lib Dem brand and want more.
Hilary Stephenson is the party’s Director of Campaigns & Elections
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10 Comments
“Despite voters suffering from election fatigue, our charismatic candidate, the memorably named Howard Keal, leapfrogged Labour into second place and managed a swing from the Tories to the Lib Dems.”
The Tories increased their share of the vote. Thw swing was a result of Labour switching to Lib Dems.
Whether or not there was a swing from Con to Lib Dem, or vice versa, we will never know, because the constituency was subject to very extensive boundary changes.
Let’s not get carried away. A few good results do not yet make up for the loss of parliamentary seats on 6th May, nor the failure to make the 28% opinion poll ratings a reality on election day.
Donald
“Small beer compared to the General Election, some might say ”
yes, I certainly would. Also given the further hammering taken in terms of council seats and councils controlled
it will take very many years of by-election gains to make up for the staedy stream of losses in all out elections.
“but combined with almost a million extra Lib Dem votes on May 6th”
What is a party supposed to do when more votes = less seats?
@RCM
Q: “What is a party supposed to do when more votes = less seats?”
A: Campaign harder than ever for PR
Kirsten, the party will have to go through a serious learning process, and I would suggest major cultural change before winning better under PR than under FPTP. Obviously we have the Scottish situation to help us learn on STV, which should help.
Q. “What is the party suppossed to do when more votes = less seats?”
A. Remeber to why you should responded to e-mails from Hilary amongst others reminding you why it is important to go and help in a priority seat and don’t just ignore them.
there wont be a labour backlash or move to labour of any kind as long as labour are without a leader. wuite simply, people wont want to vote for them when they dont know what shape the labour party will take in the future.
If McDonnell or abbot were to win, then thats a different party, attracting different voters, than if david miliband wins. When they have a leader, any leader people will know what labour are about, and some votes will come back to them.
No-one is getting carried away, but positive news to keep us going helps. Thanks Hilary.
@ Richard: It is difficult to calculate where the swing came from as everyone’s vote went down. Share does not indicate vote numbers – whilst everyone’s vote was down, our votes were far less so. So the swing could have come from anywhere. (Though officially from the cons.)